Welcome to this self-guided training course! We're here to empower you with the skills to efficiently navigate and use the Findhelp platform.
In this course, you will learn how to use keywords and categories to search, and how to make your results even better using our Personal, Program, and Income filters. We'll also explain why some programs show up higher in your search results than others. Finally, we'll share some tips and tricks to help you find the best programs on Findhelp every time.
Let's dive in!
Starting Your Search
To start your search, you will enter the zip code of the person you're helping and click "Search". This ensures you only see programs available in their area.
This will then take you to a search page where you will be able to change the zip code search area, translate the site into a preferred language, or use one of our many search tools to find a program resource.
Translating the Site
You can easily translate the Findhelp website into the language of the person you're helping.
Just click on "Select Languages" right below the keyword search bar. A list of languages from Google Translate will appear. Choose the language you want, then click the arrow next to it. The entire site will then translate!
Using the Keyword Search Bar
The keyword search bar is perfect if you know exactly what you're looking for, like a specific program name or type of help. Just type in your keywords. You can also change the search area. Simply type a different zip code into the search bar and hit Enter. The results will automatically update to show programs in that new location.
As you type in the keyword search bar, you'll see some suggestions pop up:
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Tags: At the top, you'll see tags. Think of these as labels that help organize programs. Every program on Findhelp has tags that have been added to it. If you click on a tag that matches what you've typed, you'll see all programs linked to that specific tag.
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Top Matches: Below the tags, you'll find top matches. These are specific programs that directly match your keyword search. Clicking on any of these will take you straight to that program's details.
Using Categories
At the top of your screen, you'll see a toolbar with search categories, like "food" and "housing," all the way to "legal."
When you click on any of these main categories, you'll see a list of subcategories. Each of these subcategories might also have its own list of even more specific subcategories. These help you narrow down your search even further. You'll notice a number next to each subcategory; this number tells you how many programs are available in that specific area for your chosen location.
Ready to find the perfect program? This training video will show you how to quickly search using keywords or categories right from your search bar.
Using Search Filters
Finding the right resources quickly is key, and our search tool offers powerful filters to help you do just that. On your search results page, you'll find three dynamic filters that can significantly narrow down your options. Let's explore each one:
Personal Filters: Tailor Your Search to the Individual
These filters are all about the person you're assisting. They allow you to refine results based on specific situations or personal attributes. For instance, you can select an age group, income level, or an armed forces status. Applying any of these filters will instantly narrow your results to programs that support those individuals.
Program Filters: Pinpoint Specific Program Details
Looking for something specific about the program itself? The program filters are your go-to. This is where you can filter by program-specific criteria. For instance, if you're helping someone who wants to visit an in-person location right now, just select "I want to visit" and then "Open Now" under "Hours." You'll then only see programs that are currently open.
Income Eligibility Filter: Match Programs to Household Finances
The income eligibility filter helps you find programs based on a household's financial situation. You can search for programs by inputting the number of people in their household and the amount that household makes per month. You'll only see programs that match that specified income eligibility.
All of these filters are dynamic, meaning they stay active even as you switch between different categories. They'll keep working until you manually clear them. You'll always know a filter is active because you'll see a tan box at the top of your search page.
To get rid of a single filter, just click the "x" next to its tag inside that tan box. If you want to start fresh with a new search, you can clear all filters with one click.
By utilizing these powerful filters, you can efficiently and effectively find the most relevant resources for the people you're helping.
Watch this video to learn how to activate filters to narrow your search results!
Understanding Your Search Results
After you search using keywords or categories, you'll see a page with your results.
By default, these results are sorted by relevance – meaning what the system thinks is most helpful to you. But you can change this!
You can sort the results to show what's closest to the zip code you entered instead.
How "Relevance" Works
When your results are sorted by relevance, a few things help a program show up higher on the list:
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Matching Keywords: How closely the program or provider's name matches the words you typed in your search.
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Keyword in Description: If your search words are also found in the program's description.
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Location: How close the program's location is to the zip code you're searching with.
Your Site Administrator can also make certain programs show up higher in your search results. They can "feature" a program or provider to make it stand out, or "boost" a program tag to give programs with certain tags a higher rank. When these settings are used, those programs will appear higher in the results for related searches.
Best Practices
- If you don’t find a resource you are looking for, try using a different search phrase.
- For example, if you are looking for a program that provides a specific kind of medical service, try broadening your search to medical services and see if a general program would still cover that specific need
- If you aren’t getting results, make sure you have cleared your filters!
- If you aren't getting results, you can try searching a nearby zip code.
- If you aren’t receiving relevant results, try using a filter or a subcategory.
- All of our programs have tags attached to them. Using a filter could help you find the program you are looking for.
💡Tips
- If you change your zip code, click “More Info” on a program card to check its eligibility. If the program does require the participant to live in a certain area, this isn't one you would want to refer your seeker to.
Next Section
Now that you have learned how to search for a program, we will talk about the data and the tools you will have access to within the program card. Click on Utilizing the Program Card to continue with this self guided learning course.